A candlelight vigil will be held tonight to call attention to a federally approved natural gas pipeline that will disturb scenic cliffs and forested valleys in Milford and Westfall.

The pipeline loop is part of a $341 million upgrade planned by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, which involves 40 miles of 30-inch diameter pipe in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Tennessee will locate pipeline segments within or parallel to existing rights of way for about 84 percent of the length of the project.

Protesters are OK with that, but they take issue with a section of the route that will disturb new land.

A 6.47-mile loop will divert from the right of way by 2.79 miles and then back to the right of way in a "D" shape, all to avoid a one mile of pipeline right of way in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The often-asked question is: Why would the company build seven miles of pipeline when it could just build one?

Tennessee points out that the loop is just 3.68 miles longer than the original route.

(To be math-specific: the 6.47-mile loop minus 2.79 miles of right of way being skipped, equals 3.68 miles longer.)

But the original, right of way route from 1955 is already clear of trees. Land disturbance there could be repaired to its current treeless condition. The 6.47-mile loop would be permanently changed.

In response to public interest, Tennessee explained, in a fact sheet, the reasons for straying from the original right of way.

After the 1955 construction of the existing pipeline, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area was created by Congress and became part of the National Park System. Federal law gives the NPS substantial control over uses of the park system, but restricts the nature of activities that the NPS may allow.

The fact sheet notes that the Mineral Leasing Act does not authorize rights of-way for oil, gas or petroleum pipelines on NPS lands. Without express statutory authority, the NPS regulations prohibit granting a right of way for construction of natural gas pipelines in the federal park system.

The candlelight vigil is being held on the eve of the last day comments will be taken by FERC.

Participants should bring their own candles at 8 p.m. to the steps of the Pike County Administration Building, 506 Broad St. in Milford.